Compromise reached between horse racing tracks

Wednesday

Mar 2, 2011 at 10:53 AM

After a last minute compromise settled a dispute between two South Florida thoroughbred tracks over race dates, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association hopes to jump start stalled negotiations on its 2-year-old racing program contract with Calder Race Course.

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

After a last minute compromise settled a dispute between two South Florida thoroughbred tracks over race dates, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association hopes to jump start stalled negotiations on its 2-year-old racing program contract with Calder Race Course.

The compromise on Monday, in which Calder agreed to give up its traditional racing dates in December to Gulfstream Park in exchange for racing dates in April 2012, avoided a protracted fight that could have hurt horsemen who race at both venues.

The FTBOA’s deal with Calder is tied to negotiations between Calder and the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association on a new purse and simulcast contract. Negotiations on that contract were halted during the dispute.

The FTBOA is headquartered in Ocala.

Calder has long been known for its juvenile program, where many Florida-bred 2-year-old horses begin their racing career.

“The big thing is, it allows us to get back to normal. This is the time of the year when you really need normal. Now we can get our programs done for this coming year’s racing with Calder and the FHBPA,” said Fred Brei, FTBOA board president.

Details on the FTBOA’s proposed 2-year-old program with Calder were not disclosed because the deal has not been finalized, but Brei said it would be a marked improvement over past agreements.

“Let me just say this: It would be the best juvenile program that we have had in the last six or seven years if we get it approved,” he said.

The 2-year-old racing program is anchored every year by the Florida Stallion Stakes, where progeny of qualified Florida stallions compete in a series of stakes races.

Calder is not only important in the development of future race horses, it also has become a venue for breeders to race their horses with an eye to selling them “off the track.”

“To me, the greatest impact Calder has for the local community is for what I call the accidental race horse owner. Calder gives a market for the person who races with every intention of wanting to sell the horse,” Brei said. “There are a lot of people that don’t sell their yearlings for one reason or the other and Calder has always been the place where they can go and run. If the horse finishes one, two or three, they are going to get a half a dozen offers to buy the horse. It has worked extraordinarily well.”

The racing date dispute between the two tracks began after Gulfstream applied with the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering for race dates starting Dec. 3 and running through late April. In response, Calder announced last week that horses stabled at Calder in Miami Gardens, would not be allowed to return if they went to race at Gulfstream, located approximately eight miles away in Hallandale Beach.

Both tracks then announced they would race year round. The move would have meant a shortage of horses, jockeys and other personnel as the two tracks would compete for the same customers.

“We are of the opinion that such an outcome (head-to-head racing) at this time would mean the end of the South Florida racing circuit and deny local horsemen the chance to make a living as they currently do,” John Marshall, vice president and general manager of Calder, said in a statement announcing the compromise.

With the deal, Calder will start racing about two weeks earlier than normal with their meet starting April 9, 2012, instead of late April.

Gulfstream has traditionally catered to horses who come to Florida from other parts of the country for winter racing. The track also showcases some of the country’s top 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail.

“We’re excited to add December to Gulfstream’s existing schedule. We know this will enhance our stakes schedule and the overall quality of our product... Racing in December will only add to the excitement of racing at Gulfstream Park,” Tim Ritvo, Gulfstream’s vice president of racing, said in a statement.